The new “Social Contract”, aimed at rethinking the relationships between the State and the citizenry, is going to be an essential component of the “Build Forward Better” approach. Such a model can only succeed if the existing detachment that separates youth from policymaking, in general, is narrowed and ultimately overcome.
With the focus of the 9th APFSD on “advancing the full implementation of the Agenda 2030 in Asia and the Pacific”, the region could prosper and become more inclusive and resilient if innovative ways of bottom-up policymaking centered on enhanced civic engagement, are enabled. The efforts at localising the SDGs could offer a new window of opportunities for people, especially the youth, to be engaged and be involved in the process of coming up with new ideas and solutions, finding novel ways to implement them, that, in essence, will herald and enable new forms of policymaking.
Therefore, what are the implications of these new approaches for the youth of South East Asia? How can they play a better role and have more responsibilities in transitioning towards a region that must become carbon neutral, more inclusive and just? Finally, what does “participation” mean at a practical level for them?
In reality, in general, huge gaps remain in enabling citizens to meaningfully participate. Therefore youth are well-positioned to bridge such gaps and play a crucial role and providing ideas and tools to re-invent the way policy-making unfolds.
This side event is being organised to initiate dialogue among youth from the sub-region with officials from the UN and development partners.
The discussion will give attention to increasing youth engagement, involvement, and participation in existing initiatives in the sub-region with a special focus on how youth can participate in shaping policies to build forward better in the context of coming up with ideas on localizing the SDGs and the New Social Contract.
Topics will include discussing key challenges in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and exploring opportunities for youth and its organizations in SDG-related activities.
The expected outcomes of the event will be:
- Awareness and understanding among policymakers and development partners on the role youth can play in devising initiatives to “build forward better”
- Foundation for more collaborations and partnerships between youth from the region to development partners
- Identification of potential ideas that will involve youth, in collaboration with UN and selected partners in shaping the new development agenda in South East Asia.
The event will consist of a session on how policymakers in the region, from governments to development partners can better engage and involve youth in designing novel policy solutions.
A follow-up, more practical workshop will be organized within May, enabling a brainstorming on solutions and ideas that emerged from this side event. Such exercise could be seen as a way to change the “game” and find new ways to involve and engage youth from the region.
Target Audience
Youth and Students from universities in South-East Asia
Further Information and Registration
The Forum will take place in a virtual modality on 25 March 2022. It will be conducted in English. All questions regarding the Forum can be sent to:
The Good Leadership: [email protected] and SEAkers Malaysia Chapter : [email protected]
Registration here: https://forms.gle/a1tKJeu6VmpgRa9YA